Tara Murray
Western United’s 2022 continues to go from strength to strength with its National Premier League side earning promotion.
Having won the A-League Men’s title and officially getting a licence for a women’s side, United was already having a year to remember.
Now it’s under-23 side which played in the NPL3 competition this year, has earned promotion into NPL2 for next season.
United needed to beat the Goulburn Valley Suns in a play off game to seal its spot in the higher division. The Suns had finished on the bottom of NPL2.
It was a stunning performance in the play off game, with United winning 6-1.
United took control of the match after the first 20 minutes and was able to run away with it for the win.
United scored three times in the first half with Christian Theoharous involved in all three goals. They would score another three goals in the second half, before the Suns scored a consolation goal late.
Western United academy director and coach Anthony Frost said he delighted with the performance and excited to see his team compete at a higher level in 2023.
“The result is really incredibly special for the club, and I’m just so proud of all the players and all the staff, all of the support we have from everyone around the club, especially first team coaches, first team players, everyone,” he told Western United’s website.
“We’re so thankful for their commitment throughout the year and its great that we get the reward for all the hard work that we’ve done this year.
“I’m really pleased we were able to win so emphatically and put in a top performance. It caps off the year really nicely, we couldn’t have asked for anything better.”
Frost said making the step up to the second tier of NPL Victoria will provide greater opportunities for academy players to prepare themselves for breaking into Western United’s A-League men’s squad.
